How To Organize Your Wedding Rehearsal

This is a quick rundown of things to remember when planning your wedding ceremony and what you will need to organize before your rehearsal. 

I charge separately for a rehearsal.  If you are trying to save money, that's OK.  Here is a quick guide.

There are family members who you may want to be seated formally as part of the wedding.  You usually choose different songs to be played for each group, or just one song if you like.  It’s up to you.  

Usually, those who are formally seated are grandparents and parents. If your grandparents are still with us, they can walk down the aisle together.  If your grandfather is no longer living, you would want a gentleman - a family member or a groomsman to walk them down the aisle to their seats.  

After the grandparents come the parents, sometimes the groom will walk the mothers down the aisle, which is very nice.  Or, the groom can walk down the aisle with his parents.  

The bride's mother is seated last.  It is usually done by her son, another family member, or the groom. 

The groom and the groomsmen can either walk in all together with the officiant or they can escort the bridesmaids in.

Bridesmaids walk in, the Maid (matron) of honor is last, followed by the ring bearers and the flower girls. 

The music changes for the bride.  The officiant asks everyone to stand, and the bride walks down the aisle.  

When the bride reaches the front, her father “Hands her over to her waiting groom.”  
Here, you need to decide whether your father will just go sit down and wait for the question of “who gives this bride in marriage,” or if you want the question right then and there before the ceremony begins.  Both ways are fine; you just want to make sure your dad knows what he’s doing.  Dads can get really nervous and not remember what to do here.  It is very cute!

You want to know who will have the rings for the ring exchange. 

At the end of the ceremony, I’ll pronounce you husband and wife (I will step out of the way!), and you get to kiss!  This is where your music person needs to know when to start the recessional.  Usually, I will pronounce you husband and wife. You kiss, and the music starts, and I speak loudly over the music, “Mr. and Mrs……”  Or, you may want the music to start after I introduce you by your new name.  

When you rehearse, what I usually do is place everyone where they will be during the ceremony.  The groom is on the right, facing the front, and the bride is on the left.  The wedding party needs to know where they will stand and how they will fit next to you to make a great picture.

Know where any children in the ceremony will be.  Standing up with the wedding party or going to their parents in the front row.  (your daughter will be in the front row)  

Then, practice the recessional.  The bride and groom walk all the way down the aisle together, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen follow.  The next one starts once the one in front of them gets halfway down the aisle.  

Are there any announcements that need to be made after the ceremony? Cocktails?  Pictures? Where to go.  That sort of thing.

Will the guests be dismissed by rows or will they just leave on their own?

Will there be a receiving line?

Now, Everyone practices walking in procession to the place they were already standing.  Practice with parents and grandparents if they are there.  Go over the important parts of the ceremony, like the rings and vows to your daughter, and then recess again, make sure everyone knows what they are doing, and you are done!